Comments on: More thoughts on trends in utility cycling at Interbike from ChicagoBikeBlog http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/26/more-thoughts-on-trends-in-utility-cycling-at-interbike-from-chicagobikeblog/ The Online Magazine of Austin Cycling Culture Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:17:51 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Toby http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/26/more-thoughts-on-trends-in-utility-cycling-at-interbike-from-chicagobikeblog/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Toby Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:20:27 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=926#comment-251 Despite the "trendiness" factor, I do find it heartening that bike manufacturers appear to finally be recognizing that the veer into performance-oriented marketing that started in the LeMond years might have, in a very long-term sense, been a bad idea. I've noticed more and more utility bikes offered in the last few years. Granted, a lot of them are crap, but there are some nice, affordable bikes out there. I'm not too sure about their build quality, but take a look at the way Schwinn has really gone back to their roots with offerings like the Coffee and Cream, Sid and Nancy, etc. Also, I just read Marcus' Amsterdam review. I have one myself, and I agree with the comments about the skirts, they pop off way too easily. If his chain is slapping his chaincase, though, he needs to adjust his rear wheel. The dropouts are horizontal, and it sounds like his wheel has loosened a bit on the dropouts causing his wheel to slide forward, thus putting some slack in the chain. Despite the “trendiness” factor, I do find it heartening that bike manufacturers appear to finally be recognizing that the veer into performance-oriented marketing that started in the LeMond years might have, in a very long-term sense, been a bad idea. I’ve noticed more and more utility bikes offered in the last few years. Granted, a lot of them are crap, but there are some nice, affordable bikes out there. I’m not too sure about their build quality, but take a look at the way Schwinn has really gone back to their roots with offerings like the Coffee and Cream, Sid and Nancy, etc.

Also, I just read Marcus’ Amsterdam review. I have one myself, and I agree with the comments about the skirts, they pop off way too easily. If his chain is slapping his chaincase, though, he needs to adjust his rear wheel. The dropouts are horizontal, and it sounds like his wheel has loosened a bit on the dropouts causing his wheel to slide forward, thus putting some slack in the chain.

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